‘Fun Size’ One of Three Films to Shoot in the Area

A film that may be shot in Lakewood might be sharing the spotlight.

That’s because there are also two other movies set to begin production in the Cleveland area.

Representatives from Paramount Pictures have been — specifically Arthur Avenue near the — to shoot its new film “Fun Size.”

The film — an adventure comedy about Halloween — is set to begin production in June. “Fun Size” stars Nickelodeon’s Victoria Justice (Zoey 101, Victorious, iCarly) and will be directed by Josh Schwartz (Gossip Girl, Chuck).

And it may not be the only show in town.

In addition, the other films shooting in the Cleveland-area are “The Avengers” and “Boot Tracks.”

Marvel Studios’ The Avengers is tentatively scheduled to begin shooting in early August and will star Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Clark Gregg and Samuel L. Jackson.

A Marvel Studios Casting Coordinator will hold Cleveland area extras casting call in early July.

Boot Tracks, set to begin shooting any day now, features Michelle Monaghan (Source Code, Due Date), is directed by David Jacobson (Down in the Valley), and produced by Larry Rattner.

“Fun Size” has been approved to receive funding through the Ohio Motion Picture Tax Credit, administered by the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Film Office.

However, the plans to shoot the film in Lakewood are not final.

The Greater Cleveland Film Commission — the organization that has brought the trio of movies to Northeast Ohio — is working with Paramount Pictures to find a location for "Fun Size." Other possible locations include Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights and Euclid.

GCFC Executive Director Ivan Schwarz said that it’s not unusual for a production company to keep the location of a movie a secret until the shoot is over. That way crowds don’t interfere with the production.

While the plans are not final, representatives of Paramount Pictures have actively been scouting locations in Lakewood.

And there have been several sightings of film crews around the city.

“We have three movies (in the Cleveland area), and people are scouting all over Northeast Ohio,” Schwarz said.

The film will employ local crew, cast and extras — and will with local vendors and service providers.

That means lots of jobs for the local economy, Schwarz said.

“We’re creating jobs and creating economic development, but we’re doing it through these films,” he said. “Having one movie is kind of cool, but having three movies is really what’s important to me.”

Schwarz added praise for the Ohio Department of Development, which helped to secure a tax credit that is luring production companies away from other states such as Michigan.

“Films are coming to Cleveland because of the city’s incredible resources, locations and people,” he said. “But if there were no tax incentives, there would be no films shot here. Period.”